Waterfront Winterland work under way as Christmas edges closer

With work to build this year's Waterfront Winterland now under way, it's a sure sign Christmas in Swansea is fast-approaching.

One of many events forming part of the 'It's Christmas in Swansea' series of events and activities, Waterfront Winterland at Museum Park will be opening on the evening of Friday November 17.

Organised by Swansea Council, the festive attraction will include the Admiral sponsored main ice-rink and a smaller ice-rink for children, a big wheel, Santa's Grotto and lots of other Christmas fun.

Two new rides are also being introduced for 2017 - Space and Skyview.

Last year, over 150,000 people visited Waterfront Winterland - almost 42,000 of whom took to the ice.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Major Projects, said: "Since its introduction in 2006, Waterfront Winterland has become a firm favourite on Swansea's annual Christmas calendar.

"With two ice-rinks, a big wheel and two new rides for 2017, we know that this attraction will again draw many thousands of people between November 17 and Sunday January 7, helping boost festive spirits and generate a Christmas feel-good factor for our local residents and visitors to our city.

"With the Christmas Market also returning to Oxford Street on Friday November 17 and the Christmas Parade taking place on Sunday November 19, Waterfront Winterland heralds the start of a bumper weekend that will kick-start Swansea's Christmas celebrations."

Other fairground rides, Santa's grotto and a number of Alpine-style dining cabins will also feature at this year's Waterfront Winterland.

Visit www.swanseachristmas.com for more information or to buy ice-skating tickets, which are cheaper when bought in advance.

Starting at about 5pm on Sunday November 19, this year's Christmas Parade will travel along Wind Street, High Street, Orchard Street and Kingsway, with Santa switching-on the Christmas lights close to the city centre's Christmas tree on the Princess Way end of Kingsway. The parade will finish in the area of the Grand Theatre.

Glow-in-the-dark, Christmas-style hoverboarders will feature, as well as festive dance groups, marching bands, giant inflatables and floats inspired by hit movies including Frozen, Snow White, Cinderella, and Jack and the Beanstalk.